BA Biological Sciences – Ecology and Evolution

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Chicago

Program Overview

The BA Biological Sciences – Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago provides in-depth study of how organisms interact with their environments, how species evolve, and how biodiversity develops, combining coursework with quantitative, field, and research training. It suits students interested in ecology, evolutionary biology, conservation, biodiversity, environmental research, and related scientific careers, with the track requiring field ecology coursework and independent research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their quantitative and biological foundation through BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology and BIOS 20153 Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The modeling course introduces statistics, regression, hypothesis testing, mathematical models, and biological applications using the R computational platform, while Ecology and Evolution examines population growth, species interactions, phylogenetics, molecular evolution, and speciation.

Year 2: Students progress into the track’s core biological foundations with courses including BIOS 20186 Fundamentals of Cell and Molecular Biology, BIOS 20187 Fundamentals of Genetics, and BIOS 20198 Biodiversity. Biodiversity can also be studied through the University’s Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) program, giving students an opportunity to connect classroom concepts with organismal and ecological study.

Year 3: Students develop greater specialization through STAT 22000 Statistical Methods and Applications, additional quantitative coursework, and upper-level Biological Sciences electives numbered BIOS 21000–28999. At least three upper-level electives must focus on ecology, evolution, genetics, or behavior, allowing students to shape their studies around their scientific interests.

Year 4: Students complete advanced Ecology and Evolution coursework, including the required Field Ecology Course, together with their remaining upper-level electives and one quarter of approved independent field or research work. This final stage emphasizes applying ecological and evolutionary concepts through field or research experience and completing the 1,600-unit BA requirement.

Focus areas: Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Biodiversity, Genetics, Animal Behavior, Population Biology, Phylogenetics, Molecular Evolution, Field Ecology, Quantitative Biology

Learning outcomes: Scientific reasoning, ecological analysis, evolutionary thinking, quantitative modeling, statistical analysis, field research, biological research methods, interpretation of scientific evidence, independent research

Professional alignment (accreditation): The University of Chicago identifies this as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) track within Biological Sciences; its official catalog does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the Ecology and Evolution track. The curriculum is academically aligned with careers in biological research, environmental and ecological research, education, and health-related or planetary-health fields.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Chicago’s official international materials reported that UChicago was ranked 10th globally in the QS World University Rankings in 2023; this is a university-level ranking rather than a specific ranking for the Ecology and Evolution BA.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the BA Biological Sciences – Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago gain practical experience through field ecology, quantitative biology, research, and advanced biological coursework. The track specifically requires a field ecology course and one quarter of independent field or research work, while opportunities at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) allow students to combine fieldwork with genomic, bioinformatic, and other analytical approaches.

Students can build that hands-on experience through:

Quantitative Modeling: BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology develops statistics, regression, hypothesis testing, Markov models, differential equations, and other quantitative methods, with students implementing biological analyses using the R computational platform.
Ecology & Evolution: BIOS 20153 Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology uses published data, simulations, mathematical models, and empirical examples to examine population growth, disease dynamics, species interactions, phylogenetics, molecular evolution, and speciation.
Field Ecology: Students must complete a dedicated field ecology course such as BIOS 20196 Ecology and Conservation, BIOS 27710 Ecology, BIOS 27725 Biogeography and Distribution of Species, or other approved MBL field courses.
Independent Research: The degree requires one quarter of independent field or research work in Ecology and Evolution, providing direct experience with biological research under approved faculty supervision.
Marine Biological Laboratory: Students can take selected Ecology and Evolution courses at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, including ecology, oceanography, biodiversity, biogeography, and marine ecosystem courses.
Field Research & Genomics: Biodiversity and Genomics: Exploring the Marine Animal Diversity of Woods Hole Using Molecular Tools combines fieldwork with genomic and bioinformatic approaches and lets students develop short research projects using MBL’s living marine-animal collections.
Ongoing Research Projects: MBL students can participate in ongoing research projects and contribute data to research on marine biodiversity during the September Term course.
Semester in Environmental Science: The MBL Semester in Environmental Science is a 15-week experience combining environmental research, policy, and management through a partnership between UChicago and MBL.
Field Trips: BIOS 23233 Ecology and Evolution in the Southwest – Field School and BIOS 23100 Dinosaur Science provide opportunities to study biology outside Chicago through field-based experiences.
Summer Research: The BSCD Ecology & Evolution Summer Fellowship allows students to explore research interests in a range of field and laboratory settings, with some programs matching students with a research mentor and project.
Laboratory Research: Biological Sciences students can conduct independent research in the laboratories of Biological Sciences Division faculty, providing access to university research environments beyond regular coursework.
Internships: UChicago students have completed internships with organizations including Argonne National Laboratory, Chicago Botanic Garden, Lincoln Park Zoo, Marine Biological Laboratory, Morton Arboretum, NOAA–Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Shedd Aquarium, and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
Career Treks & Employer Engagement: Careers in Biological Sciences and Climate and Energy Careers provide opportunities to network with alumni and employers through treks, programs, internships, panels, local site visits, and career exploration trips.
Research Skills: The track combines advanced statistical skills, quantitative coursework, fieldwork, and independent research, giving students experience that connects ecological questions with modern analytical methods.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Biological Sciences – Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago provides focused preparation in ecology, evolution, field biology, quantitative analysis, and biological research. The track combines coursework with fieldwork, advanced statistical skills, and research opportunities, including study opportunities at the Marine Biological Laboratory, making it relevant to careers in environmental science, conservation, research, and biological policy.

Typical career roles: Ecologist, Environmental Scientist, Conservation Scientist, Biological Research Assistant

: Students can build professional experience through UChicago’s dedicated biological-sciences career support, research programs, internships, employer connections, and field-based opportunities:

Career Advising: Careers in Biological Sciences provides specialized advising through UChicago Handshake, along with career-pathway resources, an industry guide, internship information, and professional-development events.
Research Opportunities: Students can conduct research with faculty across the Biological Sciences Division and Neuroscience Institute, including projects in ecology and evolution, quantitative biology, genetics, and other biological fields.
Marine Biological Laboratory: The Ecology and Evolution track specifically identifies coursework opportunities at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, providing an important field- and research-oriented pathway.
Summer Research: The Biological Sciences Collegiate Division Fellowship offers selected first-, second-, and third-year students a 10-week summer research experience in a UChicago laboratory, with biological and ecology field research welcomed.
Internships: UChicago students have completed internships with organizations including the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Cascade Forest Conservancy, NOAA, Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and other environmental, conservation, research, and public-sector organizations.
Industry Connections: Biological Sciences career programming has featured employers and organizations such as AbbVie, Biogen, Ginkgo Bioworks, Impossible Foods, Ramboll, Seattle Aquarium, and Tessera Therapeutics, giving students exposure to biotechnology, environmental, sustainability, and related career sectors.
Career Treks: UChicago organizes Biological Sciences career treks that allow students to meet alumni and employers in professional settings; current programming includes Biological Sciences treks to Seattle and Munich.
Employer Network: UChicago's Biological Sciences first-year career cohort identifies employers including Argonne National Laboratory, Genentech, Illumina, the National Institutes of Health, and other life-science organizations.
Practical Research Skills: The curriculum emphasizes scientific reasoning, research, discovery, fieldwork, and advanced statistical skills. Students pursuing the BS route additionally conduct research, collect and analyze data, and complete a thesis.
Employment & Salary Information: UChicago's official Career Advancement salary resource lists approximate starting salaries for related science careers, including Biologist: $42,320 and Environmental Scientist: $43,576. These are general career-pathway figures rather than UChicago Ecology and Evolution graduate salary outcomes.
Employment Statistics: UChicago's official sources reviewed do not publish a current employment rate specifically for BA Biological Sciences – Ecology and Evolution graduates. Therefore, no program-specific employment percentage is substituted.
Graduation Outcomes: UChicago states that Biological Sciences can prepare graduates for careers in health professions, basic or applied research in academia or industry, education, and policy related to human, animal, and planetary health.
Accreditation Value: The University of Chicago has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1913, and the university states that its degrees and programs of study are covered by this institutional accreditation.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and PhD programs in ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental science, conservation biology, organismal biology, and related fields. UChicago's Biological Sciences Division itself offers PhD programs through its Darwinian Sciences cluster, covering ecological, integrative, and evolutionary biology, providing a direct pathway for students interested in research careers.